Man Utd suffer massive transfer blow as Napoli star’s agent says there’s ‘no need to move’
Kim Min-Jae’s representatives have dismissed rumours of a move to Man Utd and insist the Napoli defender “doesn’t have to rush” into a decision.
The South Korea international only joined the Italian giants last summer from Fenerbahce for around €18m but there have been rumours that he could be on the move after only one season in Naples.
Kim has produced some brilliant displays this season to help Napoli to their first Scudetto in 33 years with the club also reaching the Champions League quarter-finals.
With the futures of Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire up in the air, Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag is reportedly on the lookout for a new centre-back this summer.
His preferred pairing at the heart of his defence is Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez but both players have showed this season that they can be susceptible to injuries.
A report earlier this week claimed it was now just ‘a matter of details’ before Kim signed for Man Utd this summer with the centre-back ‘destined’ for Old Trafford.
That came after the Red Devils made a ‘colossal’ contract offer to the 26-year-old after they ‘opened talks’ with his representatives.
However, Kim’s staff have come out and told a South Korean publication that the speculation is false with no rush over deciding the Napoli defender’s future.
“The transfer to Manchester United is not true,” Kim’s representatives told Star News.
“Currently, Kim Min-jae is focusing on finishing the season. In the case of the English Premier League, the qualification to the Champions League or the final standings have not been decided. There is no need to move.”
Kim’s military training in June with the South Korean army could halt the progress of any potential move away from Napoli with July the earliest that he could make a move.
His representatives added: “He has to be enlisted in June, so he doesn’t have to rush.”
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano also has an update on Kim’s situation and revealed that his €47m release clause only becomes active in July.
Romano wrote in his Caught Offside column: “Manchester United have a strong interest in Kim Min-jae, they consider him a huge talent. However, at this moment they cannot trigger his €47m release clause, because this clause is only valid in early July, not now.
“They like the player and there are conversations happening, but it’s not a done deal because of the release clause situation. Newcastle have also sent their scouts to watch Kim but they know that Man Utd have been working on this deal for some time.
“Napoli will also try to offer the South Korean centre-back a new deal with a higher release clause, so let’s see what happens.”
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